Double boiler and throw-a-way food package

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to an improved container particularly of the so-called double boiler type, in which a cover is secured to the container body by an overfolded or crimped peripheral edge of the latter. Between adjacent side edges of the cover an edge of the periphery thereof is inwardly offset and in this area the cover is not crimped to the container but is actually spaced slightly from the crimp which serves as a vent for steam when the container contents are heated. Moreover, at this same area there is located the starting end of a tear strip portion, and since the latter is not secured to the container by the crimp, the starting end can be easily gripped and the tear strip portion readily removed to gain access to the container contents.

[ 1 June 6, 1972 [54] DOUBLE BOILER AND THROW-A-WAY FOOD PACKAGE [72] Inventor: Henry E. Frankenberg, Berwyn, 111.

[73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc., New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Dec. 15, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 98,305

3,394,869 7/1968 Fontana et al ..229/5l TS 3,464,832 9/1969 Mullinix 229/51 TS X 3,498,448 3/1970 Kuster.... ..229/51 TS X 3,516,597 6/1970 Bigblow ..229/3.5 MF X Primary ExaminerDavis T. Moorhead Attorney-Diner, Brown, Ramik & Holt [5 7] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to an improved container particularly of the so-called double boiler type, in which a cover is secured to the container body by an overfolded or crimped peripheral edge of the latter. Between adjacent side edges of the cover an edge of the periphery thereof is inwardly offset and in this area the cover is not crimped to the container but is actually spaced slightly from the crimp which serves as a vent for steam when the container contents are heated. Moreover, at this same area there is located the starting end of a tear strip portion, and since the latter is not secured to the container by the crimp, the starting end can be easily gripped and the tear strip portion readily removed to gain access to the container contents.

14 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures DOUBLE BOILER AND THROW-A-WAY FOOD PACKAGE At present it is customary to package edible products in containers or trays most commonly referred to as T.V. dinners." Such packages are directly placed into an oven or otherwise heated until the contents have been warmed as desired, and more often than not the edible products are eaten directly from the package, as opposed to being served on conventional serving dishes, platters, etc. Where any such package includes an entree, a vegetable or two, and one or more side dishes, it is apparent that much time and labor are saved simply from the standpoint of eliminating a vast number of cooking utensils, eating utensils, and the eventual cleaning thereof since such packages are generally of a disposable nature.

Another similar package employs the double boiler principle, and in addition to the usual edible product container and cover, also includes an exterior compartment which houses water or a similar heat transfer medium. Upon the heating thereof, steam is emanated and by suitable vent openings or apertures circulates into and through the food compartment thus heating the contents by convection currents, as well as conduction.

In both packages or containers of the latter noted type, two major difficulties have been encountered and the present invention solves both in a simultaneous manner. The first difficulty or disadvantage of conventional packages of this type involves difficulties in providing the covers with tear strips or tear out portions which can be readily and substantially totally removed without contaminating the product during the removal process. In keeping with the present invention, the cover is provided with a pair of score lines defining a tear strip having a gripping end which projects beyond a peripheral edge of the cover, but is folded back upon a remaining portion of the tear strip along a fold line which is inboard of and slightly spaced from the conventional crimped peripheral edge of the container. In other words, the cover at the starting end of the tear strip is not crimpingly secured to the container or at most only a very narrow edge portion of the tear strip is loosely crimped to the container periphery. In this manner, the gripping end can be grasped and the tear strip readily removed to permit access to the container interior.

The second disadvantage of conventional containers of this type is the absence of adequate means to assure that steam or other vapors will vent to atmosphere without again contaminating the product or as has happened in the absence of proper venting, the actual rupture of the cover and/or container due to excessive pressure build-up.

In further keeping with this invention, the same construction heretofore described serves as a. vent since the minor portion of the cover which is not crimped to the container body serves as a vent to permit steam to pass to atmosphere from the interior of the container between the cover and the peripheral crimp of the container body.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claimed subject matter, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a novel cover constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates two diametrically opposite comers from which project beyond an adjacent side edge gripping ends of a tear strip with each corner being defined by an are which forms an offset in one of the peripheral edges at each comer.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view illustrating a container and cover combination, with the cover of FIG. 1 being illustrated in its in-use position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 1, and illustrates pairs of offset score lines defining one of the two identical tear strips.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3, and illustrates the manner in which severance occurs during the removal of the tear strips.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the uppermost right-hand side of the container and cover illustrated in FIG. 2, and illustrates the manner in which the gripping of the tear strip is overfolded to provide a gap between a periphery of the cover and a peripheral crimp of the container.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 66 of FIG. 5, and illustrates the manner in which one of a pair of handles is folded and secured to the container body by the peripheral crimp thereof.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 5, and illustrates the manner in which steam and/or vapor is admitted into the product-containing chamber incident to circulating therethrough prior to being vented to atmosphere.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 5, and illustrates the manner in which the steam and/or vapor is vented to atmosphere through the relieved area between the cover periphery and the peripheral crimp of the container body.

A novel container and closure combination constructed in accordance with this invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The container and cover combination 10 includes a container 11 and a cover 12, the latter of which is illustrated in its blank form in FIG. 1.

The cover 12 (FIG. 1) is of a generally polygonal configuration and is formed of paper stock or similar relatively inexpensive material. In lieu of paper stock material, the cover 12 may be constructed from aluminum foil, plastic, or laminates thereof.

The cover 12 includes a generally polygonally shaped peripheral edge designated by the reference numeral 13 and being defined by a generally inverted U-shaped handle-forming edge portion 14, a side edge portion 15, an arcuate corner edge portion 16, another side edge portion 17, an outwardly opening generally U-shaped notch 18, a generally inverted C shaped tear strip gripping end edge portion 20, an arcuate comer edge portion 21, another side edge portion 22, a generally U-shaped handle-forming edge portion 23, another side edge portion 24, a generally arcuate corner edge portion 25, another side edge portion 26, another generally U-shaped outwardly opening notch 27, a generally C-shaped tear strip gripping end edge portion 28, another arcuate corner edge portion 30, and a side edge portion 31.

As is readily apparent from FIG. 1, the cover 12 is diametrically symmetrical which is to say that all diametrically opposite portions of the cover are identical. For example, the comer edge portions 25, 26 have like radii with the respective loci 32, 33 thereof being spaced identical normal distances from the side edge portions 15, 17 and 24, 26, respectively. Likewise, the comer edge portions 21, 30 are of like curvature with the respective loci 34, 35 thereof being spaced identical distances D1 from the respective edges 22, 31, and D2 from the respective edge portions 17, 26. It will be noted that the distance D1 is less than the distance D2 resulting in the formation of an offset 36, 37 at the lower right-hand and upper lefthand portions of the blank 12 as viewed in FIG. 1. The depth of the offsets 36, 37 in an actual embodiment of the invention is 0.07 inch, the radius of the corner edge portions 16, 25 is 1.20 inch as is each of the distances D2, while each of the distances D1 is 1.04 inch.

Elongated slots 40, 41 define respective handles 42, 43 with the edge portions 14, 23. The handles 42, 43 are adapted to be folded inwardly along respective fold lines 44, 45, in the manner best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6.

Spanning the cover 12 are a pair of identical tear strips 46, 47, each being defined by a pair of score lines 50, 51 (FIG. 3) in an upper surface (unnumbered) and more closely adjacent score lines 52, 53 in a lower surface of the cover 12. A coating C of moisture impermeable material is preferably applied to opposite surfaces of the cover 12 after the score lines 50 through 53 have been formed therein to prevent wicking. Each tear strip portion 46, 47 includes respective fold lines 54, 55 which with the respective edge portions 20, 28 define or set off a starting end 59 of the tear strips 46, 47 which is manually grasped and pulled to remove the tear strips in a manner which will be described more fully hereafter. The fold lines 54, 55 are parallel to the edge portions 17, 26 and are spaced the distance D1 from the respective loci 34, 35, thus smoothly merging the fold lines 54, 55, with the comer defining edge portions 21, 30, respectively.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and through 8 of the drawings which illustrate the formation of the container 1 l as including a generally polygonally shaped outer container body 60 having a radially outwardly directed peripheral flange 61 which is overfolded, curled or crimped to form a peripheral bead or crimp which is generally designated by the reference numeral 62. The container 1 1 also includes an inner container body 63 likewise having a radially outwardly directed peripheral flange 64 which is partially overfolded at an edge portion 65 thereof. Water (not shown) or similar media is disposed in a compartment 66 between the outer container body 60 and the inner container body 63, while an edible product is positioned in a compartment 67 of the inner container body 63. A vent opening or aperture 68 (FIGS. 5 and 7) is formed in a recess 69 the peripheral flange 64 of the inner container body 63 inboard of the comet defining edge portion 16, as well as another like aperture (not shown) inboard of the diametrically opposite edge 25. The two vent openings permit steam or vapor to pass therethrough and between the peripheral flange 64 and the cover 12 into the compartment 67 to heat the contents thereof.

Prior to forming the overfolds 65, 62, the cover 12 is positioned atop the flange 64 after the handles 42, 43 and the starting ends 59 have been folded inwardly about the respective fold lines 44, 45 and 54, 55, in the manner best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5. Thereafter conventional means are employed to form the peripheral curl 62, and in this regard reference is now made specifically to FIGS. 5 through 8 of the drawings.

The cross section of the curl 62 beginning at the notch 27 and moving clockwise in FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. 8, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 70. Thus, the curl portion 70 between points A and B is formed as a very loose curl with a gap existing between an under surface 71 of the curl portion 70 and the underlying portion (unnumbered) of the corner edge portion 30 of the cover 12. Moreover, since the fold line 55 is inboard of the curl portion 70, as is best illustrated in FIG. 5, a relief area or gap 72 is formed therebetween. Thus, as pressure builds up in the chamber 67 as a result of steam or vapor, the latter can deflect the cover 12 upwardly between points A and B resulting in the escape of steam between the flange 64 and the cover 12 and thence to atmosphere between the upper side of the cover and the under side 71 of the curl portion 70, in the manner indicated by the unnumbered headed arrows in FIG. 8, while in the area of the gripping portion 59 steam will vent directly to atmosphere in the gap 72 between the inboardmost edge of the curl portion 70 and the fold line 55, as indicated best in FIG. 5.

It is also to be noted that the score lines 50 through 53 lie between points A and B. Thus, due to the gap 72 and the loose formation of the curl portion 70, the minor portion (unnumbered) of the edge 30 underlying the curl portion 70 adjacent the fold lines 51, 53 can be readily removed with the result that the tear strip can be drawn to the right resulting in the severance of the score lines, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4, and the eventual removal of the tear strip 46.

Between points B and C and points D and E, the latter point being at the groove 18, the configuration of the curl 62 is as is indicated in FIG. 7 in which a curl portion 73 thereof is formed more tightly than the curl portion 70 and an edge 74 clamps the periphery of the cover 12 to preclude the removal thereof from beneath the curl portions 73. Due to this tight clamping, the gases venting through the aperture 68 (FIG. 7) cannot escape to the right, as viewed in FIG. 7, and must necessarily follow the path of least resistance into the compartment 67 to warm the contents thereof.

A portion 75 of the curl 62 between points C and D likewise constitutes a tight curl with an end 76 (FIG. 6) thereof bearing against the handle 42 inboard of the fold line 44. Due to the tightness of the curl portion 75, the cover will not be inadvertently or accidentally removed upon lifting of the combination 10 by the handles 42, 43 upon the upward and outward folding thereof to a position normal to the cover 12.

Though the construction of the combination 10 has been described thus far from point A through point IE, it is pointed out that the construction is identical from point E or notch 18 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5 back to point A. In other words, for every specific structure heretofore described along the periphery of the cover and container 10 there is a like structure diametrically opposite thereof.

In operation the combined container and closure 10 of FIG. 2 is heated in any conventional manner and when the product in the compartment 67 has been sufiiciently warmed, the combination 10 may be served prior to or after removing the tear strips 46, 47 in the manner heretofore described. The handles 42, 43 are used to serve the combination 10 to the eventual user who himself removes the tear strips 46, 47, after which the portion of the cover lying therebetween can be readily withdrawn from beneath the curl 62 adjacent the edges 17, 26. In order to avoid the latter operation, the score lines 50, 52 of each tear strip 46, 47 may be eliminated and instead an inner and outer score line in general overlying relationship may be provided in the cover 12 between the notches 18, 27. In this manner two generally triangular portions of the cover would be removed upon the removal of the tear strip portions 46, 47, while at the same time the entire interior of the inner container or compartment 67 would be exposed.

While preferred forms and arrangements of parts have been shown in illustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

I claim:

1. In a cover of the easy opening type adapted to be secured to a container by an overfolded periphery thereof, said cover including a removable tear strip portion having a starting end projecting beyond a peripheral edge of said cover, the improvement comprising a first portion of said peripheral edge at one side of said starting end being inwardly offset relative to a second portion of said peripheral edge at a second side of said starting end opposite said one side whereby upon inward overfolding of said starting end and the securement thereof to a container the tear strip portion is readily removed away from the overfolded container periphery.

2. In a cover of the type adapted to be secured to a ventilable container at its periphery, said cover including adjacent side edges, the improvement comprising venting means being an edge portion of the cover periphery which is inwardly offset relative to at least one of said side edges.

3. A container and cover combination comprising a container body having an overfolded peripheral edge imparting a predetermined configuration to said body, said cover including a peripheral edge of a configuration substantially similar to said predetermined configuration, a major portion of said cover peripheral edge lying beneath a major portion of said overfolded peripheral edge and being thereby secured to said container body, and a minor portion of said cover peripheral edge being inwardly offset from a minor portion of said overfolded peripheral edge thereby forming a relieved area between said minor cover peripheral edge portion and said minor cover peripheral edge portion thereby adapting said container and cover combination for particular use as an easy opening and/or ventilable assembly.

4. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said tear strip portion includes a fold line thereacross and inboard of said second peripheral edge portion.

5. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 1 including an outwardly opening notch between said starting end second side and said second peripheral edge portion.

6. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover is of a generally polygonal configuration having adjacent side peripheral edge portions on opposite sides of said first and second peripheral edge portions, and said first peripheral edge portion merges with a first of said side peripheral edge portions along an are having a locus spaced dissimilar distances from said side peripheral edge portions as measured normal thereto.

7. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 4 including an outwardly opening notch between said starting end second side and said second peripheral edge portion.

8. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 4 wherein said cover is of a generally polygonal configuration having adjacent side peripheral edge portions on opposite sides of said first and second peripheral edge portions, and said first peripheral edge portion merges with a first of said side peripheral edge portions along an arc having a locus spaced dissimilar distances from said side peripheral edge portions as measured normal thereto.

9. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 6 wherein the distance between said locus and said first side peripheral edge portion is less than the distance between said locus and the second of said side peripheral edge portions.

10. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 2 wherein said venting means edge portion merges with a first of said side edges along an are having a locus spaced a closer normal distance to said first side edge than to the second of said side edges.

11. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said cover includes a removable tear strip portion having a starting end joined to a remaining portion along a fold line, said starting end is folded about said fold line into overlying relationship to said remaining portion, and said minor cover peripheral edge portion is in part defined by said fold line.

12. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said cover peripheral edge is further defined by a pair of adjacent angularly disposed side edge portions, and said minor cover peripheral edge portion is positioned between said pair of side edge portions.

13. The combination as defined in claim 12 wherein said cover includes a removable tear strip portion having a starting end joined to a remaining portion along a fold line, said starting end is folded about said fold line into overlying relationship to said remaining portion, and said minor cover peripheral edge portion is in part defined by said fold line.

14. The combination as defined in claim 13 wherein said minor cover peripheral edge portion is defined by an arc merging with said fold line and one of said side edge portions. 

1. In a cover of the easy opening type adapted to be secured to a container by an overfolded periphery thereof, said cover including a removable tear strip portion having a starting end projecting beyond a peripheral edge of said cover, the improvement comprising a first portion of said peripheral edge at one side of said starting end being inwardly offset relative to a second portion of said peripheral edge at a second side of said starting end opposite said one side whereby upon inward overfolding of said starting end and the securement thereof to a container the tear strip portion is readily removed away from the overfolded container periphery.
 2. In a cover of the type adapted to be secured to a ventilable container at its periphery, said cover including adjacent side edges, the improvement comprising venting means being an edge portion of the cover periphery which is inwardly offset relative to at least one of said side edges.
 3. A container and cover combination comprising a container body having an overfolded peripheral edge imparting a predetermined configuration to said body, said cover including a peripheral edge of a configuration substantially similar to said predetermined configuration, a major portion of said cover peripheral edge lying beneath a major portion of said overfolded peripheral edge and being thereby secured to said container body, and a minor portion of said cover peripheral edge being inwardly offset from a minor portion of said overfolded peripheral edge thereby forming a relieved area between said minor cover peripheral edge portion and said minor cover peripheral edge portion thereby adapting said container and cover combination for particular use as an easy opening and/or ventilable assembly.
 4. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said tear strip portion includes a fold line thereacross and inboard of said second peripheral edge portion.
 5. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 1 including an outwardly opening notch between said starting end second side and said second peripheral edge portion.
 6. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover is of a generally polygonal configuration having adjacent side peripheral edge portions on opposite sides of said first and second peripheral edge portions, and said first peripheral edge portion merges with a first of said side peripheral edge portions along an arc having a locus spaced dissimilar distances from said side peripheral edge portions as measured normal thereto.
 7. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 4 including an outwardly opening notch between said starting end second side and said second peripheral edge portion.
 8. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 4 wherein said cover is of a generally polygonal configuration having adjacent side peripheral edge portions on opposite sides of said first and second peripheral edge portions, and said first peripheral edge portion merges with a first of said side peripheral edge portions along an arc having a locus spaced dissimilar distances from said side peripheral edge portions as measured normal thereto.
 9. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 6 wherein the distance between said locus and said first side peripheral edge portion is less than the distance between said locus and the second of said side peripheral edge portions.
 10. The improvement in a cover as defined in claim 2 wherein said venting meaNs edge portion merges with a first of said side edges along an arc having a locus spaced a closer normal distance to said first side edge than to the second of said side edges.
 11. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said cover includes a removable tear strip portion having a starting end joined to a remaining portion along a fold line, said starting end is folded about said fold line into overlying relationship to said remaining portion, and said minor cover peripheral edge portion is in part defined by said fold line.
 12. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said cover peripheral edge is further defined by a pair of adjacent angularly disposed side edge portions, and said minor cover peripheral edge portion is positioned between said pair of side edge portions.
 13. The combination as defined in claim 12 wherein said cover includes a removable tear strip portion having a starting end joined to a remaining portion along a fold line, said starting end is folded about said fold line into overlying relationship to said remaining portion, and said minor cover peripheral edge portion is in part defined by said fold line.
 14. The combination as defined in claim 13 wherein said minor cover peripheral edge portion is defined by an arc merging with said fold line and one of said side edge portions. 